King Stern's response to Stan Van Gundy

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I suppose it's hard to justify saying the things SVG did in such a public forum about a league commissioner, even if every point is valid.  It's pretty nasty to be compared to a middle east dictator.  A banana republic, perhaps...

[ManUp]

Can someone please fill me in on what SVG said?

[LooseCannon]

David Stern is probably threatening in private to show Stan Gundy what rigged officiating really looks like.

I really, really want SVG to say something more.  Next time he's angry, he should commend Stern for being a great commissioner who makes the trains run on time.

[NoraG1]

I have no problem with this.  Van Gundy's statements were beyond over the line, and detrimental to the league.  He basically accused Stern of being a dictator.  

Sterns comments about it seemed very reasonable really.

First off, I think he is absolutely right that when Van Gundy sees his words in print, he will be embarrassed...and if not, the Magic owners will make it clear to him that he should be.  

Well, the way the league is run how can you not say he is a dictator? Any talk of how bad the refs are is subject to a fine. Stern does absolutely nothing to improve officiating. THAT is detrimental to the league.

[Eja117]

So Stern assumed his role in 1984... and he's still there?

Way too long for an old geezer like him to be in such a position. Would be great to see him gone but I fear any potential replacement could well be even worse.

Seriously. Where's the Egyptian protesters when we need them?

[guava_wrench]

I have no problem with this.  Van Gundy's statements were beyond over the line, and detrimental to the league.  He basically accused Stern of being a dictator.  

Sterns comments about it seemed very reasonable really.

First off, I think he is absolutely right that when Van Gundy sees his words in print, he will be embarrassed...and if not, the Magic owners will make it clear to him that he should be.  

Well, the way the league is run how can you not say he is a dictator? Any talk of how bad the refs are is subject to a fine. Stern does absolutely nothing to improve officiating. THAT is detrimental to the league.

As a St. John's fan, I am just grateful that college refs are worse.

Btw, Stern does take steps to improve officiating. (That is what I like about bold assertions. You can just make an assertion in return).

[NoraG1]

I have no problem with this.  Van Gundy's statements were beyond over the line, and detrimental to the league.  He basically accused Stern of being a dictator.  

Sterns comments about it seemed very reasonable really.

First off, I think he is absolutely right that when Van Gundy sees his words in print, he will be embarrassed...and if not, the Magic owners will make it clear to him that he should be.  

Well, the way the league is run how can you not say he is a dictator? Any talk of how bad the refs are is subject to a fine. Stern does absolutely nothing to improve officiating. THAT is detrimental to the league.

As a St. John's fan, I am just grateful that college refs are worse.

Btw, Stern does take steps to improve officiating. (That is what I like about bold assertions. You can just make an assertion in return).

I'd love to know what improvements Stern has made to the officiating.   

[Adelaide Celt]

So Stern assumed his role in 1984... and he's still there?

Way too long for an old geezer like him to be in such a position. Would be great to see him gone but I fear any potential replacement could well be even worse.

Seriously. Where's the Egyptian protesters when we need them?

That would be letting him off too easy!

Seriously, seems like an awfully long tenure. We've seen many different eras and countless changes since.

I see his predecessor was in the job for nearly 10 years. Just 2 commissioners over a 36 year period, interesting...

[Chris]

I have no problem with this.  Van Gundy's statements were beyond over the line, and detrimental to the league.  He basically accused Stern of being a dictator.  

Sterns comments about it seemed very reasonable really.

First off, I think he is absolutely right that when Van Gundy sees his words in print, he will be embarrassed...and if not, the Magic owners will make it clear to him that he should be.  

Well, the way the league is run how can you not say he is a dictator? Any talk of how bad the refs are is subject to a fine. Stern does absolutely nothing to improve officiating. THAT is detrimental to the league.

Correction.  Any PUBLIC complaints about refs is fined.  They can go through the proper channels to dispute calls, and they are addressed in house. 

Is there any major corporation in the world that would not have a problem with their employees going to the press, and essentially questioning the product?

Do you see Apple employees holding press conferences to complain about the Ipad not supporting flash?  Of course not.  Because they would be fired. 

And back to the dictator part.  This is not Stern's call.  There is a board of governors, and committees to see everything.  Stern is the man at the top, but all of the owners are complicit in all of this.

[MBz]

I have no problem with this.  Van Gundy's statements were beyond over the line, and detrimental to the league.  He basically accused Stern of being a dictator.  

Sterns comments about it seemed very reasonable really.

First off, I think he is absolutely right that when Van Gundy sees his words in print, he will be embarrassed...and if not, the Magic owners will make it clear to him that he should be.  

Well, the way the league is run how can you not say he is a dictator? Any talk of how bad the refs are is subject to a fine. Stern does absolutely nothing to improve officiating. THAT is detrimental to the league.

As a St. John's fan, I am just grateful that college refs are worse.

Btw, Stern does take steps to improve officiating. (That is what I like about bold assertions. You can just make an assertion in return).

I'd love to know what improvements Stern has made to the officiating.   

Stern is in a tough spot with the officiating.  His biggest issue is consistency, and I'm not sure it can be fixed.  What he needs to do is fire every referee and make them earn their jobs back.  Bring in the college refs, the young guys who are next in line to compete with these older refs and hire the best possible crew of officials you can.  Dick Bavetta is 71 years old and looks to be in great shape for his age, but how is a 71 year old going to keep up with a 21 year old? It's not possible.  A fat Charles Barkley beat this guy in a race 5 years ago.  The whole superstar treatment is something which I think falls under consistency.  It's basically making a mockery of the rules.  The rules are there for a reason.  Why is a technical foul by Dwight Howard not a technical foul for LeBron? That's ridiculous. 

[Change]

Stern's proving SVG right. Stern Operates the NBA like any dictator in 3rd world. Crushes any dissent. Major props to SVG for having monstrous balls.

[Greenbean]

I have no problem with this.  Van Gundy's statements were beyond over the line, and detrimental to the league.  He basically accused Stern of being a dictator.  

Sterns comments about it seemed very reasonable really.

First off, I think he is absolutely right that when Van Gundy sees his words in print, he will be embarrassed...and if not, the Magic owners will make it clear to him that he should be.  

Well, the way the league is run how can you not say he is a dictator? Any talk of how bad the refs are is subject to a fine. Stern does absolutely nothing to improve officiating. THAT is detrimental to the league.

As a St. John's fan, I am just grateful that college refs are worse.

Btw, Stern does take steps to improve officiating. (That is what I like about bold assertions. You can just make an assertion in return).

I'd love to know what improvements Stern has made to the officiating.   

Stern is in a tough spot with the officiating.  His biggest issue is consistency, and I'm not sure it can be fixed.  What he needs to do is fire every referee and make them earn their jobs back.  Bring in the college refs, the young guys who are next in line to compete with these older refs and hire the best possible crew of officials you can.  Dick Bavetta is 71 years old and looks to be in great shape for his age, but how is a 71 year old going to keep up with a 21 year old? It's not possible.  A fat Charles Barkley beat this guy in a race 5 years ago.  The whole superstar treatment is something which I think falls under consistency.  It's basically making a mockery of the rules.  The rules are there for a reason.  Why is a technical foul by Dwight Howard not a technical foul for LeBron? That's ridiculous. 

This would be nice in theory.

The reality is that college referees are even worse than NBA referees. The college game isnt even close to the physicality of the NBA so they dont come under fire often (but did you see that Rutgers game??).

I would argue for rule changes rather than referee overhaul. NBA superstars have learned how to milk the system for endless trips to the foul line.

If I had the answers I would tell you. The NBA wanted to change from the mid to late 90's style of bully basketball. This seems like a transition period where teams do not want to abandon the over physical style of defense so it is up to the refs to decide whether or not to allow it on a given night. It shouldnt be that ambiguous.

[Bankshot]

I respect a coach who dares to call 'em like he sees 'em. I also think Stern handled it well by not fining him. It's refreshing to see him allow an obviously frustrated coach air out his concerns without reprimand.

Stern can fire him?  I thought the Magic hired him?  I guess I don't know how this works.

[fairweatherfan]

Calling David Stern a dictator is an insult to people in places like Turkey, Libya, Iran, etc, who are fighting and dying to try and gain some measure of freedom from a dictatorial government.  Dictators do not fine people who publicly disagree with their methods, they kidnap, torture, and murder them.

I have very little love for Stern, but it's a shame to see how many people here are agreeing with what Van Gundy said.  It shows a complete lack of perspective on their grievances with the league, much like SVG seemed to have in the heat of the moment.

[Greenbean]

Calling David Stern a dictator is an insult to people in places like Turkey, Libya, Iran, etc, who are fighting and dying to try and gain some measure of freedom from a dictatorial government.  Dictators do not fine people who publicly disagree with their methods, they kidnap, torture, and murder them.

I have very little love for Stern, but it's a shame to see how many people here are agreeing with what Van Gundy said.  It shows a complete lack of perspective on their grievances with the league, much like SVG seemed to have in the heat of the moment.

Being a dictator does not automatically mean you have to be a murderer but point taken. Stan went over the line in his reference to some of the corrupt leaders of other countries in the context of David Stern and his leadership role...in professional basketball.